PANAJI
Town and Country Planning Minister Vishwajit Rane on Monday assured that illegal land conversions which have been reversed will not be brought on record again.
He clarified that the decision was not taken to target any person but was taken in the interest of the State.
"We are not here for sale, we will work with full responsibility. Eco-sensitive zones and salt pans cannot be changed," said Rane.
MLAs Aleixo Sequeira and Vijay Sardesai demanded that ODPs once finalised should be frozen for at least 10 years, claiming that the Regional Plan even had this provision.
However, the TCP minster clarified that the Regional Plan states that the ODPs have to be amended at least once in 10 years.
“I am of the personal opinion that ODPs have to be changed after five years. But I will consult Chief Minister Pramod Sawant before taking any decision to bring about any amendments in the Regional Plan,” said Rane.
Rane also said that in order to promote farmhouses, the government is thinking of working on Farm Policy.
While stating that there are 6,200 cases of conversion under 16B, the TCP minister said no further conversion under 16B will be done until the court decides on it.
Speaking on municipalities, Rane said amendments in the municipal law will done to facilitate renewal and lease of shops.
Rane also said eco-sensitive zones should be demarcated properly and residential areas should be excluded from it, otherwise the villages will have to suffer.
“As many as 99 villages are coming under eco-sensitive zones and people are angry about it,” he said.
Minister said the high court ban on construction of roads in forests in the hinterlands should be challenged in Supreme Court as there is need to construct roads in forest to promote hinterland tourism.
Minister said the forest department will take guidance of retired officers to form an inclusive forest management plan.
Reiterating that tigers are visitors to the State, Rane said there is need to identify the tiger corridor and create a habitat for tigers to stay in the state forest.
Rane also said the government would sign an MOU with the WHO India to work in issues pertaining to women’s health.
